Happy {early!} Wednesday folks! I visited my parents yesterday and then went to my sister’s house where her garden was in full bloom. I had wanted to see if I could press flowers in my microwave (without the pricey Microfluer press) so she sent me home with a mason jar full of phlox and hydrangea. I did figure out how to do it (video tutorial below) and the results are on the table along with some freshly glazed resin (I did a tutorial on making those drying boards Monday), I used Future Floor Wax to glaze them, you can see that in the little apple sauce cup, behind that a new creation I invented called Pinot Grigio with Pineapple juice (not bad) and a big pile of rubber from Lost Coast Designs!
I was so excited to share my microwave flower pressing success that I asked my 8 year old daughter to film my process. This was her first time with the camera, I think she did pretty good! Hey, if you pay attention you can get a glimpse of my new kitchen floor. So as a disclaimer to this video it is the end of the day, I have been traveling and I am quite wilted, the kitchen is a mess and well and I just ate a large dinner. Just keep that in mind as you watch:)
Another crafty skill to tuck under your belt! I love how it is not too scientific, if it is not completly flat and crispy just zap it a few more seconds, easy! If you want to see what other crafters all over the world are up to be sure to check out all of the What’s On your Workdesk Wednesday fun at Julia’s Blog. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting
The Frugal Crafter Blog 
I’ve never heard of pressing flowers in the microwave, always done it with heavy books and waiting, waiting and more waiting
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Lila did a great job w/ the camera! Flowers turned out great too–lovely. Now, I need some idea of how to use them in/on a card!! My daughter grows some beautiful flowers every summer and I just might give this a try–AND–it just dawned on me: I even have a piece of ceramic tile in my car trunk–a sample. HA! Will any kind of ceramic tile work??..thanks for the awesome idea.
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I tried this in the microwave using two corning plates. It worked, but not as well as yours. I love what you did. and that new floor is awesome. I’m crazy about black and white. Happy WOYWW from #10.
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I think any glass or ceramic that is reasonably flat is fine, just no metal in the microwave.
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Woo Hoo!!!!!! What a great success!.. My bachelor buttons just started blooming and I’m anxious to give this a try. Using them after the drying: book marks made from clear contact film or packers tape.
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what a great idea, I might have to CASE it with credit of course!
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Looks like I left a reply on someone else’s post. Sorry about that.
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Very kewl never tried this talk about saving time and not waiting for the 24 hours for them to dry thanks for the tip 🙂 hugs Nikki 22
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Oh. my. goodness. This looks like it works so much better than waiting for a week while flowers dry between books. We had our Girl Scouts do it the long way as part of an old badge requirement and the girls lost interest before their flowers dried (and they lost their little pressing boards along the way). The things you show us are so cool. 🙂
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I love your pressed flowers, they are stunning. Never heard of pressing flowers in a microwave. happy crafting #7
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I so enjoyed your video about pressing flowers! What a great idea, one I hope to do some time. Beats waiting for them to dry! Good job, camera person!
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Ok I loved the video and how easy and fast…. like I’m going to have to try that now. Thanks for letting me peek. Have a great day and Bright blessings to you and yours Roberta 26
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I didn’t know you could press flowers in the microwave, but I do now. Gosh it amazes me how much stuff you can do in one day, great desk this week and thanks for sharing your skills like always. You truly are a champion crafter.
Happy WOYWW
Eliza & Yoda 24
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great video and a cool tip. thanks … Have a good week. Helen 8
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Ooh thanks for the video, I might just give it a go – your pressed flowers look great. Happy Wednesday.
Sue x (MiniOwner@65)
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Just popped back to say – the box of papers on my desk are 6×6 off cuts. It’s about the only organised thing in my craftroom! Whenever I finish a page I cut the left over patterned papers into 6 inch squares and store them in the box. Very useful.
Sue x
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Fab idea Sue! Never would have thought of that!
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I just discovered Lost Coast Designs and a place in the UK where I can find them and they are just great! I love your video! Thank you so much for sharing! Have a lovely WOYWW! Julie Ann x #35
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Hey Lindsay,
Your daughter did a great job! The floor looks fantastic and the flowers are beautiful! Thanks for another great technique!
Blessings,
Marie
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Excellent video – thanks for sharing, I’m going to have a go
Daisy 78#
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Hi Lindsay
your desk is looking great today I have bookmarked your video to watch later but I am loving what you have been doing
Have a really great WOYWW and enjoy the rest of your week
Hugs Ria #87
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Hi Lindsay – Your daughter has a career ahead of her!!! Fab video. I am going to try that technique as I have some lovely hydrangeas in the garden too. Hope I manage to keep the colour. Thank you for sharing. Happy WOYWW from Helen 71 x
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Question: You are the Queen of “how to do it cheap” (and I bestow that title with great respect). I have been trying to figure out how to create colored glazes cheaply. It’s the translucent quality that that I’m aiming for, but I’d also like to be able to create rich color. (like Luminarte Silks) I’m asking now because you mentioned Future Floor Wax and I wondered if that would work as a base to achieve those results. I know that there are artists mediums (media?), but I don’t have a lot of experience with them. Would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.
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how thick do you want the glaze to be? Future is great as a glaze and you can tint them with dye base inks. I have never had it yellow on me either. Or you can use an acrylic varnish like minwax polycrylic in gloss or satin. Or any artist acrylic varnish you like such as mod podge or golden. Have fun!
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Made me laugh in your video when you told. Your daughter to make u look thin!!!!! We all worry about that one thing!!!
Jackie 44
Scrapbangwallop
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Yum! to the wine cooler- and must give the micro flowers a try.
thanks for the snoop
Robyn 25
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Such a great idea! I will be back to watch the vid soon.
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Brilliantly useful technique- bookmarking it for later use! Have a great week, Hugs Shaz #50 xx
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Have never heard of doing this in a microwave. Am off to look at your video. Happy WOYWW Anne x #90
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A coupla things….another great video as always!
Just an FYI that if your viewing numbers are down, it might be because gmail is now sorting mail into “Primary”, “Social” and “Promotions”. You’re ending up in “Social” and I rarely check it. *I’ve* been missing your videos and I rarely miss a one. I can correct this and sort out what goes where, but I haven’t gotten to it yet. Yet another decision that Google made without my permission. You might want to give your viewers a heads’ up at the top of your next video and in print on your blog.
Secondly, I have looked EVERYWHERE (including two Targets and a kazillion dollar stores) and I cannot find the foam bath blocks that you used for stamping a while back. Any clue as to where I can find them currently? Any SKUs or UPC codes to share? My youngest is now 20 and I’m out of the kiddo bath toy loop. Thanks!
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Hi Lynne, thank you for the heads up! I will mention it on the next video I shoot (it will be a few vids from now because I have not uploaded all of the finished ones yet:) I got my blocks in the dollar spot ant target and at the Dollar tree in the toy aisle but if you don’t see them check the baby department of either store.
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Hi Lindsay Thanks for another quick and clever idea. In your video you say you put the microwave on Level 5 – I only have High, Medium, Low, Defrost and Simmer! Any idea which one I should use.
Thanks again for all your inspiration.
Cathie
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if you are cooking the flowers less than 1 minute use high, more than a minute use medium (level 5 is medium:)
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how clever. and your DD did a great job, no doubt of that. I love the Future blocks. but I have to say that your finest invention this week is the extra fruity Pinot!!
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Great video – your daughter did great. Most of my flowers are past their prime, except for the Cosmos. I may give this a try. Thanks for another shot of inspiration!
ps – love your floor!
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a couple of notes: Pledge has taken the word “Future” completely off the label now. I don’t have the new bottle here with me, but you can tell it’s the same one because it’s clear and it says you have to use ammonia to remove it. I think it says for general floors or something like that. I found mine at Wal-Mart here.
An idea I saw for making flower cards was to make an arrangement on your scanner with white or colored paper over it, then scan it into your computer and print it, then glue onto cardstock.
If you want to put the pressed flowers into resin, you have to seal them with Mod Podge or something first or the resin will eat the flowers
HTH
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thanks for the great tips Sue:)
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Great video Lindsay! Your daughter did a fantastic job with the camera! If I could drink alcohol, I’d be stealing your Pinot idea (guess I’ll have to stick with coconut water, with a splash of pineapple!) ! Love, love, love your black and white floor! Love your entire kitchen for that matter! Keep up the inspiration! 🙂
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Thanks for another frugal how to video, Lindsay! My trees and bushes are flowering right now and must take a few an dry them. What are you making with them?
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I will use them as skirts on some fairy and art doll stamps I think! Above in the comments Sharon had the idea of laminated bookmarks, I love that idea too!
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You inspire me with all the projects you are doing with stuff you have and need to use up. I would love to share your ideas with my art students this year. I teach middle/high school. Bought some paint supplies yesterday. You will see from my post, I have a phobia, but you have given me a bit of “want to” to begin learning. I did find the art book you covered with wrapping paper on Amazon. Thanks for all you share. By the way, I am currently using my Roul’Pat if you remember my asking your about the SilPat a while ago. Works Great! Kim #52
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LOL! I had to laugh. DH just got back from Japan with a little polaroid style camera for DD. Her first picture was of the top of his head and the kitchen door. Oh dear. Your DD is clearly better at the whole photography thing. Although this is not something I am even mildly tempted to try, I do love the fact you turned your “frugal” hand to it. Maybe one day…..
Mary Anne
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Belated woyww wishes what fab idea and didn’t it work well will definitely have to give it ago as I love flowers add it to my to do list
have great week and well done to your daughter great camera operator
Andrea#51
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So gorgeous! I can’t wait to see how you use these in your art.
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Thank you Lindsay! I can’t wait to try this. Your daughter did really well on the video.
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Lindsay, what fabulous flowers, they are stunning, thank you for sharing hun, Avril#56
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Your daughter did a great job!!! A future Director for sure!! But mom you got to stop moving so fast so she can keep up!! LOL!!! Love the idea….am presently waiting for my few flowers to dry the old fashioned way…the rest died during a hail storm (yes hail the size of golf balls!) 😦 not a good summer for flowers!!! Love the floor
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Great video, thank you Lila! Great idea Lindsay and I love the 50’s Hollywood style floor!
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